Historical chapter commentary
Verse 2. Command. It is probable that this order was given while Beseleel was working at the tabernacle. Calmet.—The people were to furnish the necessary sacrifices, and so forth by the half sicle, Exodus 30:3, and by voluntary contributions on the three great festivals, on which no one was to appear empty-handed, Exodus 23:15. Some chose to put their contributions towards the temple in the treasury, Lu. 21:1.—Oil: Hebrew “pure oil of the olive beaten, for light to,” and so forth
Verse 5. Bake. The family of Caath had to perform this office, 1 Par 9:32. 23:29. Menochius.—Incense. Septuagint add, “salt.” Villalpend also places wine on the table. B. iv. 57.—Memorial for the Lord to bless his people, and for them to make their oblations to him as to the living God, from whom all blessings are derived. Bible.—The incense was burnt instead of the bread, when fresh loaves were placed there. Calmet.
Verse 8. Of the, and so forth The Israelites gave a sufficient maintenance to the ministers of religion, out of which these provided the loaves; as S. Jerom testifies, Malachi 1.
Verse 10. Egyptian. Many of these came out along with the Hebrews. Exod. 12:38.
Verse 11. The Name. Some Latin copies add, “of God;” but the best omit it, with the Hebrew and so forth This is, however, the meaning. Calmet.—The son of Salumith being in a rage, cursed that sacred name; (verse 15) and, as he perhaps had attempted to vent his fury upon whatever came in his way, God here reiterates the laws against murder, and so forth verse 17. The Jews are so much afraid of taking the name of God (Yehovah) in vain, that they have for a long time abstained from pronouncing it at all; ( Bible.) and here they have probably omitted it on purpose. Houbigant. But this seems to border upon superstition, is contrary to the design of God, who revealed that august name, and inserted it very frequently in the holy Bible, and in the very prayer, which the senators have to recite; (Deuteronomy 21:8,) and, can any one suppose, that he would not have them pronounce it, even in their solemn devotions? Many of the Rabbins suppose, that blasphemy is not to be punished with death, if any other name of God be used: but others are more reasonable. Our Saviour was not accused by the Jews of transgressing, in this respect, when they condemned him as guilty of blasphemy. Matthew 26:64. The name of God, is often used in the same sense as we use the words majesty, lordship, and so forth as being more emphatical, and dignified. Calmet.
Verse 14. Head. To testify, that if they witness falsehood, they are willing to suffer the like punishment; and to beg that God would accept this victim, and not afflict all his people. Tirinus.
Verse 15. His God. Hebrew Elohaiv. Philo explains this of idols, as if it were unlawful to speak ill of them, lest we should proceed to do so with respect to the true God. But the prophets, and the most holy personages, had no scruple in speaking contemptuously of the pagan divinities.—His sin, and the punishment of it. Calmet.
Verse 19. Blemish. Hebrew mum, denotes any thing by which the body is disfigured or hurt. Menochius.
Verse 20. Breach, or fracture: if he break a bone, the like detriment shall he receive.
Verse 21. Striketh, so as to kill or render useless, percusserit, ( Bible.) verse 18.—Punished. Septuagint “slain.” They omit the first part of this verse.
Verse 22. Stranger. The Jews improperly restrain this law to those nations only which have embraced their religion. God requires that the judges shall not shew more favour to their countrymen, than to others who may dwell among them. Calmet.
1 ephah is about 22 liters or about 2/3 of a bushel